Method of supplying moisture to gas producers



Jan. 16, 1923.

1,442,100. H. F. SMITH. METHOD OF SUPPLYING MOISTURE T0 GAS PRODUCERS. I

FILED NOV-'7, 1917- 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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mmfla gjj- W Jan. 16, 1923.

H. F. SMITH. METHOD OF SUPPLYING MOISTURE TO GAS PRODUCERS.

2SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FILED NOV. 7, 1917 4272272255555. fizz/517K011 1%.. WW QZZUPDPQZEL Patented Jan. 16, 1923'.

UNIT-so Ares PATENT o-F HARRY r; smrrn, orrnxiiveroiv, 01110, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To THE GAS nnsnnnorr coMrANY, or DAYTON, 01110,;11 cosroRArIoN-or 0310.

nurses or sorrnrrive ivrors'ruan To GAS rnonucnns Application filed November 7, 1917. Serial No. 200,851.:

To a'ZZ whom it mag concern: 4

Be it known that I, HARRY F. Stirrma citizen ofthe United Statesof America, residingat-Lexington, Richland County, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful-- Improvements in'Methods of Supplying Moisture to Gas Producers, of which the ;follow I ing'is a full, clear, and exact description."

- Fig.1 is a form of apparatus This invention relates to gas producers, and more particularly to supplying the generating chambersthereof with moisture. I. r

In the generation of producer gas the common practice is to pass airand moisture through a bed of incandescent carbonaceous material. rThe moistureis usually supplled inthe form of steam,the proportions of air and steam being regulated in; any desired manner, and quite expensive and complicatedapparatus 1s necessary to insure an adequate supply of-steam and a proper regula tion-thereof. I One'object of this invention is totsupplyi-the desired amount of moisture to the generating chamber Without theme of steam thus obviating the necessity for such expensive and, complicated-apparatus.

: In carrying this invention into effect wateris' introduced into the ash pit of the producer in the form of a finely divided spray, which is taken up inQagreater or less degree by the current of air flowing through the ash pit to the fuel bed. The moisture thus taken up is carried into contact .with the incandescent carbon and there changed into steam; It is obviousthat all ofthewater sprayed into theash pit'may not be carried along byv thecurrent of air, but the greater the quantity of spray,;the greater will be the quantityofmoisture conveyed into the fuel bed. Inasmuch as the character of the gas produced is varied by the relative proportions of air, and moisture passing through the fuel bed, it is necessary to provide meansfor regulating the spray according to the com-,-

position of the gas produced so that more or less moisture may be supplied as desired.

7 In the drawing in which like characters of reference designate like parts: i v

, p for carrying my invention into efiect,-parts thereof being shown inelevation and otherpart-s in section to more clearly illustrate'the mechanical details of construction. 7

f Fig. 2 is another form of mechanism for the ash pit.

take pipe 2 which connects with thedelivery main 3. Extending across the lower: part of the producer 1 is'a vgrated ofany' desired ducerinto a generating chamber 5 and an ash p'it Opening through the wall of the ash pit Gis-an air inlet 7.1;As shown the air inlet is'freely open at all times, the amount.

of air passing therethrough into thetash pit 3 form, which divides'the interior'ofthe 'pro- 7 and-thence into the fuel bed on the "grate 4:

in the generating chamber dependent uponthe suct on caused by ex hausters, not shown, located 1n the pipe 2 be- 5 being entirely f tween the producer and the-delivery main3. In thecon'ventional producer the exhausters aredriven at aspeedwhich varies inaccord ance'with the quantity of gas desired. When a greater quantity/of gas isdesired it-is merely necessary to speedup the 'eXh-austers, thus drawingfagreater quantity of air throughthe port 7 with a resulting increased production of gas in the generating chamber 5. And obviously slowing down the speed of the 'exhausters results in-a decreased produc- 1 tionofgas. l H v, v r v Leading intothe ash pit 6 through'the air port; 7 is a water supply pipe 8, the flow throughsaid pipe being controlled by the valve 9 Attached to the end of pipe8 inside the ash pit {Sis a sprayno'zzle 10 adapted to" v break uptinto a ,finelyi divided spray any waterpassing therethrough from the pipe 8.

Inasmuch'as a. 'currentof airis passing through the ash'pit from the port 7, through the grate bars and into the: generating cham ber 5, whenever gas is being generated'some part of the spray emitted from the airnozzle 10 will be carried by this current of air-into contact with the fuel bed uponthe grate l.

It is quite obvious that the quantity of spray thus conveyed depends upon the velocity and quantity of the air current and the quantity of spray present in. the ash pit. For a certain aircurrent, however, itis obvious that the moisture conveyed thereby will be. de-

pendent upon the quantity sprayed into the ash pit. In other words for a definite'air current the quantity of moisture carried through the fuel bed will be varied by'varys V 55 I a In the drawlng l-isa gasc-producer, which may be of'any desired form, havingan Off- 25 Nov. 22. 1921.. The operation of this reguof water passing therethrough.

duced. In other words I control the valve 9, 1

which regulates the flow of water to the nozzle 10, according to the composition of the gas produced, so that if too much moisture is passing through the fuel bed, this valve will be actuated to'decrease the amount of water flowing therethrough, and, too little moisture is passing through the fuel bed, the valve will be actuated to increase the supply The mechanism disclosed in Fig. 1 for thus. controll ng the valve 9' controls the 7 opening of the valve in accordance with the specific gravity ofthe gas produced. This apparatus is identical in principle with that described in my Patent No. 1397554, dated lating, device depends upon the fact that as the proportion of moisture passing through the fuel bed increases, the proportion of hydrogen in the resulting gas will also ll'lClQilSB'Wlth a corresponding decrease in the specific gravityof the gas. And conversely that as the proportion of moisture passing through the fuel bed decreases, the

proportion of hydrogen in the resulting gas will also decrease with a consequent increase in the specific gravity of such gas. This being true it is evident that the specific gravity of the gas in the delivery main 3 is an accurate indication'of the proportion of moisture passing through the fuel bed. Leading from the delivery main 3 is a pipe 11 which opens into the lower end of a vessel 12 containing a solution of potassium hydroxide for removingfromthe gas passing therethrough all carbon dioxide con tained therein. This removal of the carbon dioxide is desirable inasmuch as any variation the proportion of carbon dioxide will also cause a corresponding variation in the specific gravity of the gas. Leading from the upper end of the vessel 12 is a pipe13, the other end of which is connected port 15 in the valve casing 14. Diametrically opposite the port 15v is a port 16, and located midway between these two ports upon opposite sides of the valve casing are two other ports 17 and 18. Leading from the port 161 a pipe 19'which opens into the lower bell of a gasometer 20. Pivotally connected to the upper bell of the gasometer 20 is a lever 21 tulcrumed at 22 to some fixed part of the apparatus. Pivotally connected to the lever 21 at some point intermediate its length is an adjustable link 23,'the opposite of moisture.

end of which is operatively connected to the actuating stem of the valve 9. Connected to the two ports 17 ancl-18=aretwo standmined interval. then connected to thepipe 19.

From the above description it is obvious'that anyvariations 1n speclhcgravity of the gas in the main 3, which can resultonly from corresponding variations 'lIl the generating chamber, will be transmitted to the gasometer 20 to thus actuate the valve 9. And

the apparatus is so adjusted thatany decrease inthe specificgravity-ofthe gas'will result ina closing movement'o'fthe valve 9,

while any increase in the specific gravity of 1 that gas will result in an openingmovem'ent of valve This precise regulatingmecha- 1118111151101; essential for a practicing-of the invention, but any regulating mechanismgoverned according to the composition of .1

the gas may be substituted-therefor; And a complete and full'description of the structure and operation of the regulating mechanism here disclosed is set forth in myabove referred to corpending. application.

In Fig; 2. is illustrated a differ'ent-apparat-us for controlling the valve 9, vvhichuappa, ratus is -a partof theinvention forming the subject matter of niy patent No. 1397555 dated Nov. 22, 1921 This regulatingmechanism depends for its operation upon: the heat value or the gasproduced,-an abnormal B; t. u. indicating ,the desirability of 'dec-reas ing the supply of-moistu-reto the generating chamber, and a subnoifmal B. t. u. indicating the desirability of increasing the-supply In the apparatus disclosed 3 IS the main, through which passes the gas generated. in the producer 1, havinga pipe 11 opening therefromfor leading olf a fraction of the gas. Inserted. in the pipe ll'is a pressure regulating 'valve "27. "adaptedito insure a uniform and constant pressure/Fin the pipe 11 therebeyond Also' --inserted -in the pipe 11 and beyond thepress'ure regulat ing valve 27 is diaphragm-28having a fixed orifice therethrough. Inasmuch. as the pressure at the fixed orifice is constant, because of the pressure regulating valve 27, 51 constant volume of will pass through they orifice to the burner 29-of=the calorimeter 30; Located in the calorimeterso that the.

heat generated by the .gas burning therein will impinge thereon, 15a closed vessel'31',

having, a volatile liquid. therein and having a pipe 32 leading therefrom to the lower end of an expansible chamber 33. Pivotally connected to one end of this expansible any increase in' the heat generated in thecalorimeter will cause an increased pres sure in the expansible chamber 33 to bring about an elongation of that chamber, with a consequent actuation of the lever 34: to vary'the position of valve 9. v And it is equally obvious that any decrease in' the heat generated in the calorimeter will result in a variation in the opening of valve 9. which variation will be opposite in direction to that caused by the generation of an increased amount of heatvin the calorimeter. With the lever 34, adjustable link 35 and spring 36 so arranged that the valve 9 is positioned to insure a gas of the desired B. t; u. value, it is evident that any variation above or below this predetermined normal B. t. u. value of the gas will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in the opening of valve 9, and in the supplyof moisture therethrough, to bring about a return to normal B. t. u.

From the above description it is obvious that the actual quantity of water sprayed into the ash pit 6 is a matter of indiiference, it being merely necessaryto insure spraying such a quantity of water thereinto that a sufiicient amount thereof will be carried through the fuel bed by the air current passing freely through the port 7. In other words it is at no time necessary that the quantity of water being introduced into the ash p-it be known. It is only necessary that the flow of water thereinto through the spray nozzle 10 be so regulated that a suificientquantity of moisture will be carried into the fuel bed. On this account the expensive and complicated regulating mechanism for use where steam is supplied to the generating chamber is entirely un-.

necessary and the expensive steam generating apparatus for supplying a sufficiently large quantit of steam is also entirely unnecessary. 0t only, therefore, is the operation of the moisture supplying apparatus and of the regulating mechanism therefor greatly simplified, but in addition the expense attendant upon the installation and maintenance of such supplying and regulating apparatus is materially decreased.

lVhile the method herein described, and the forms of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and forms of apparatus,

vention which is defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new'and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moisture are supplied to the generating chamber of the producer, the method of introducing the moisture which consists in spraying water into the air pass ing to the generating chamber of the pr0,-

ducer and regulating the quantity of spray in accordance with the composition of the gas produced. i Y 2. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moistureare supplied to the generating chamber of the producer, the

method of introducing the moisture which consists in introducing water in the form of finely divided spray into the air, passing to" the generating chamber or the producer, and

automatically regulating the quantity of spray 111 accordance with the composition of the gas produced.

3. In the generation of producer gas, 1n

which air and moisture are supplied'to the generating chamber of the producer, the method of introducing the moisture which consists in spraying water into the ash'pit' thereof and regulating the quantity of water so sprayed in accordance with the composition of the gas produced.

4. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moisture are supplied to the generating chamber of the producer, the i method of introducing the moisture which consists in spraying water into the ash pit thereof and automatically regulating the quantity of water so sprayed in accordance with the composition of the gas produced.

5. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moisture are supplied to the generating chamber of the producer, the

method of introducing the moisture which consists in introducing water in the form of finely divided spray into the air passing to the generating chamber of the producer, and, automatically regulating the quantity of water so introduced in accordance with the heat value of the gas produced.

6. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moisture are supplied to the generating chamber of the producer, the method of introducingthe moisture which consists in introducing into the air supply thereof, a spray of water, which is in such finely divided particles that substantial quantities of said particles will be mechanically carried along by the air.

7. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moisture are supplied to the generating chamber of the producer, the

method of introducing the moisture which Y consists in spraying into the air supply water which is so finely divided that the particles thereof will remain in suspension, and be carried along by, the air; and controlling the quantity of spray in accordance with the composition of the gas produced.

8. In the generation of producer gas, in which air and moisture are supplied tothe generating chamber of the producer, the method of introducing the moisture, which consists in spraying into the air supply thereof Water which is so finely divided that the particles thereof Will remain in suspen sion, and be carried along by,the air; and controllingthe quantity of spray in accord: ance with the heat value of the gas produced.

9. In a gas producer, in which a blast of air and moisture is introduced into-the gen erating chamber otthe producer during ope eration thereof; apparatus for introducing moisture into said blast, comprising means for spraying Water into the air supply of the producer; and means for automatically varying the quantity of water sprayed into 7 the said air supply to accord With the composition of the gas produced,

10. In a gasv producer, in which a blast of air and moisture is introduced into-the gen erating chamber of the producer during operation thereof, a spray nozzle positioned Within theair. supply of, the p oducer;

means for supplying water to said nozzle for spraying into the air supply, means. control.- ling the quantity of Water supplied .to said spray nozzle; and means,responsive to val-i riations in the composition, of the gas generated, for actuating the said controlling m an 1-1. In apparatus of the character descr-ibecha gas producer comprising a genere ating chamber, an ash pit, below saidgencrating chamber haying an. air supply opening therein thnoug'h; which air passes into. the

ash pit and; then into the generating chamber-ofthe producer; a spray nozzle positioned within the ash pit; a pipe for supplying water tosaid nozzlefor spraying into said ash pit, a control valve Within said pipe; and means responsiveto.variationsin the composition. of the gas produced, for actuating the saidcontrol valve to, govern the quantity of Water sprayed into the ash, pit, to, thus, control the amount of moisture taken up, by the, air passing through said ash pit and carried intoathe generating chamber of the producer.

In testimony Whereof'I afiix my si 'nature.

H. F. SNFITH. 

